Liquid-crystalline medium, method for the stabilization thereof, and liquid-crystal display

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to compounds of the formula I, and to a liquid-crystalline medium, preferably having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy, which comprises
         a) one or more compounds of the formula I       

     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             and 
             b) one or more compounds of the formula III-O 
           
         
       
    
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     in which the parameters have the respective meanings indicated in Claim  1 , to the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PALC, FFS or IPS effect, to displays of this type which contain a liquid-crystalline medium of this type, and to the use of the compounds of the formula I for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formula III-O.

The present invention relates to novel compounds, in particular for use in liquid-crystal media, but also to the use of these liquid-crystal media in liquid-crystal displays, and to these liquid-crystal displays, particularly liquid-crystal displays which use the ECB (electrically controlled birefringence) effect with dielectrically negative liquid crystals in a homeotropic initial alignment. The liquid-crystal media according to the invention are distinguished by a particularly short response time in the displays according to the invention at the same time as a high voltage holding ratio (VHR or also just HR for short).

The principle of electrically controlled birefringence, the ECB effect or DAP (deformation of aligned phases) effect, was described for the first time in 1971 (M. F. Schieckel and K. Fahrenschon, “Deformation of nematic liquid crystals with vertical orientation in electrical fields”, Appl. Phys. Lett. 19 (1971), 3912). Papers by J. F. Kahn (Appl. Phys. Lett. 20 (1972), 1193) and G. Labrunie and J. Robert (J. Appl. Phys. 44 (1973), 4869) followed.

The papers by J. Robert and F. Clerc (SID 80 Digest Techn. Papers (1980), 30), J. Duchene (Displays 7 (1986), 3) and H. Schad (SID 82 Digest Techn. Papers (1982), 244) have shown that liquid-crystalline phases must have high values for the ratio between the elastic constants K₃/K₁, high values for the optical anisotropy Δn and values for the dielectric anisotropy Δ∈ of −0.5 in order to be suitable for use for high-information display elements based on the ECB effect. Electro-optical display elements based on the ECB effect have a homeotropic edge alignment (VA technology=vertically aligned). Dielectrically negative liquid-crystal media can also be used in displays which use the so-called IPS (In-plane switching) effect.

Industrial application of this effect in electro-optical display elements requires LC phases which have to meet a multiplicity of requirements. Particularly important here are chemical resistance to moisture, air and physical influences, such as heat, radiation in the infrared, visible and ultraviolet regions, and direct and alternating electric fields.

Furthermore, LC phases which can be used industrially are required to have a liquid-crystalline mesophase in a suitable temperature range and low viscosity.

None of the series of compounds having a liquid-crystalline mesophase that have been disclosed hitherto includes a single compound which meets all these requirements. Mixtures of two to 25, preferably three to 18, compounds are therefore generally prepared in order to obtain substances which can be used as LC phases.

Matrix liquid-crystal displays (MLC displays) are known. Non-linear elements which can be used for individual switching of the individual pixels are, for example, active elements (i.e. transistors). The term “active matrix” is then used, where in general use is made of thin-film transistors (TFTs), which are generally arranged on a glass plate as substrate.

A distinction is made between two technologies: TFTs comprising compound semiconductors, such as, for example, CdSe, or TFTs based on polycrystalline and, inter alia, amorphous silicon. The latter technology currently has the greatest commercial importance worldwide.

The TFT matrix is applied to the inside of one glass plate of the display, while the other glass plate carries the transparent counterelectrode on its inside. Compared with the size of the pixel electrode, the TFT is very small and has virtually no adverse effect on the image. This technology can also be extended to fully color-capable displays, in which a mosaic of red, green and blue filters is arranged in such a way that a filter element is located opposite each switchable pixel.

The TFT displays most used hitherto usually operate with crossed polarizers in transmission and are backlit. For TV applications, IPS cells or ECB (or VAN) cells are used, whereas monitors usually use IPS cells or TN (twisted nematic) cells, and notebooks, laptops and mobile applications usually use TN cells.

The term MLC displays here encompasses any matrix display having integrated non-linear elements, i.e., besides the active matrix, also displays with passive elements, such as varistors or diodes (MIM=metal-insulator-metal).

MLC displays of this type are particularly suitable for TV applications, monitors and notebooks or for displays with a high information density, for example in automobile manufacture or aircraft construction. Besides problems regarding the angle dependence of the contrast and the response times, difficulties also arise in MLC displays due to insufficiently high specific resistance of the liquid-crystal mixtures [TOGASHI, S., SEKIGUCHI, K., TANABE, H., YAMAMOTO, E., SORIMACHI, K., TAJIMA, E., WATANABE, H., SHIMIZU, H., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, September 1984: A 210-288 Matrix LCD Controlled by Double Stage Diode Rings, pp. 141 ff., Paris; STROMER, M., Proc. Eurodisplay 84, September 1984: Design of Thin Film Transistors for Matrix Addressing of Television Liquid Crystal Displays, pp. 145 ff., Paris]. With decreasing resistance, the contrast of an MLC display deteriorates. Since the specific resistance of the liquid-crystal mixture generally drops over the life of an MLC display owing to interaction with the inside surfaces of the display, a high (initial) resistance is very important for displays that have to have acceptable resistance values over a long operating period.

Displays which use the ECB effect have become established as so-called VAN (vertically aligned nematic) displays, besides IPS displays (for example: Yeo, S. D., Paper 15.3: “An LC Display for the TV Application”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 758 and 759) and the long-known TN displays, as one of the three more recent types of liquid-crystal display that are currently the most important, in particular for television applications.

The most important designs may be mentioned here: MVA (multi-domain vertical alignment, for example: Yoshide, H. et al., Paper 3.1: “MVA LCD for Notebook or Mobile PCs . . . .”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book I, pp. 6 to 9, and Liu, C. T. et al., Paper 15.1: “A 46-inch TFT-LCD HDTV Technology . . . .”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 750 to 753), PVA (patterned vertical alignment, for example: Kim, Sang Soo, Paper 15.4: “Super PVA Sets New State-of-the-Art for LCD-TV”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 760 to 763) and ASV (advanced super view, for example: Shigeta, Mitzuhiro and Fukuoka, Hirofumi, Paper 15.2: “Development of High Quality LCDTV”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book II, pp. 754 to 757).

In general form, the technologies are compared, for example, in Souk, Jun, SID Seminar 2004, Seminar M-6: “Recent Advances in LCD Technology”, Seminar Lecture Notes, M-6/1 to M-6/26, and Miller, Ian, SID Seminar 2004, Seminar M-7: “LCD-Television”, Seminar Lecture Notes, M-7/1 to M-7/32. Although the response times of modern ECB displays have already been significantly improved by addressing methods with overdrive, for example: Kim, Hyeon Kyeong et al., Paper 9.1: “A 57-in. Wide UXGA TFT-LCD for HDTV Application”, SID 2004 International Symposium, Digest of Technical Papers, XXXV, Book I, pp. 106 to 109, the achievement of video-compatible response times, in particular in the switching of grey shades, is still a problem which has not yet been solved to a satisfactory extent.

ECB displays, like ASV displays, use liquid-crystalline media having negative dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈), whereas TN and to date all conventional IPS displays use liquid-crystalline media having positive dielectric anisotropy.

In liquid-crystal displays of this type, the liquid crystals are used as dielectrics, whose optical properties change reversibly on application of an electrical voltage.

Since in displays in general, i.e. also in displays in accordance with these mentioned effects, the operating voltage should be as low as possible, use is made of liquid-crystal media which are generally predominantly composed of liquid-crystal compounds, all of which have the same sign of the dielectric anisotropy and have the highest possible value of the dielectric anisotropy. In general, at most relatively small proportions of neutral compounds and if possible no compounds having a sign of the dielectric anisotropy which is opposite to that of the medium are employed. In the case of liquid-crystal media having negative dielectric anisotropy for ECB displays, predominantly compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy are thus employed. The liquid-crystal media employed generally consist predominantly and usually even essentially of liquid-crystal compounds having negative dielectric anisotropy.

In the media used in accordance with the present application, at most significant amounts of dielectrically neutral liquid-crystal compounds and generally only very small amounts of dielectrically positive compounds or even none at all are typically employed, since in general the liquid-crystal displays are intended to have the lowest possible addressing voltages.

JP 2006-37054 (A) discloses liquid-crystal mixtures which comprise the three compounds of the formula

-   -   in which R denotes C₂H₅, C₃H₇ or C₄H₉,         and additionally one or more compounds of the formula

-   -   in which (R,R′) denotes (C₃H₇,C₂H₅), (C₅H₁₁,CH₃) or         (C₅H₁₁,C₂H₅).         For many practical applications in liquid-crystal displays,         however, the known liquid-crystal media are not sufficiently         stable. In particular, their stability to irradiation with UV,         but also even with conventional backlighting, results in an         impairment, in particular, of the electrical properties. Thus,         for example, the conductivity increases significantly.

The use of so-called “hindered amine light stabilizers”, HALS for short, has already been proposed for the stabilization of liquid-crystal mixtures.

Nematic liquid-crystal mixtures having negative dielectric anisotropy which comprise a small amount of TINUVIN® 770, a compound of the formula

as stabilizer, are proposed, for example, in WO 2009/129911 A1. However, the corresponding liquid-crystal mixtures do not have adequate properties for some practical applications. Inter alia, they are not sufficiently stable to irradiation using typical CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent lamp) backlighting.

Similar liquid-crystal mixtures are also known, for example, from EP 2 182 046 A1, WO 2008/009417 A1, WO 2009/021671 A1 and WO 2009/115186 A1. However, the use of stabilizers is not indicated therein.

According to the disclosure therein, these liquid-crystal mixtures may optionally also comprise stabilizers of various types, such as, for example, phenols and sterically hindered amines (hindered amine light stabilizers, HALS for short). However, these liquid-crystal mixtures are characterised by relatively high threshold voltages and by at best moderate stabilities. In particular, their voltage holding ratio drops after exposure. In addition, a yellowish discoloration often arises.

The use of various stabilizers in liquid-crystalline media is described, for example, in JP (S)55-023169 (A), JP (H)05-117324 (A), WO 02/18515 A1 and JP (H) 09-291282 (A).

TINUVIN®123, a compound of the formula

has also been proposed for stabilization purposes.

Mesogenic compounds containing one or two HALS units are disclosed in EP 1 1784 442 A1.

HALS with various substituents on the nitrogen atom are compared with respect to their pK_(B) values in Ohkatsu, Y., J. of Japan Petroleum Institute, 51, 2008, pages 191-204. The following types of structural formulae are disclosed here.

Type Active group of the stabilizer “HALS”

“R-HALS” or “NR-HALS”

“NOR-HALS”

The compound TEMPOL, of the following formula:

is known; it is mentioned, for example, in Miéville, P. et al., Angew. Chem. 2010, 122, pages 6318-6321. It is commercially available from various manufacturers and is employed, for example, as polymerisation inhibitor and, in particular in combination with UV absorbers, as light or UV protection in formulations for precursors of polyolefins, polystyrenes, polyamides, coatings and PVC.

The liquid-crystal media of the prior art having correspondingly low addressing voltages have relatively low electrical resistance values or a low VHR and often result in undesired flicker and/or inadequate transmission in the displays. In addition, they are not sufficiently stable to heating and/or UV exposure, at least if they have correspondingly high polarity, as is necessary for low addressing voltages.

On the other hand, the addressing voltage of the displays of the prior art which have a high VHR is often too high, in particular for displays which are not connected directly or not continuously to the power supply network, such as, for example, displays for mobile applications.

In addition, the phase range of the liquid-crystal mixture must be sufficiently broad for the intended application of the display.

The response times of the liquid-crystal media in the displays must be improved, i.e. reduced. This is particularly important for displays for television or multimedia applications. In order to improve the response times, it has repeatedly been proposed in the past to optimise the rotational viscosity of the liquid-crystal media (γ₁), i.e. to achieve media having the lowest possible rotational viscosity. However, the results achieved here are inadequate for many applications and therefore make it appear desirable to find further optimisation approaches.

Adequate stability of the media to extreme loads, in particular to UV exposure and heating, is very particularly important. In particular in the case of applications in displays in mobile equipment, such as, for example, mobile telephones, this may be crucial.

The disadvantage of the MLC displays disclosed hitherto is due to their comparatively low contrast, the relatively high viewing-angle dependence and the difficulty in producing grey shades in these displays, as well as their inadequate VHR and their inadequate lifetime.

There thus continues to be a great demand for MLC displays having very high specific resistance at the same time as a large working-temperature range, short response times and a low threshold voltage, with the aid of which various grey shades can be produced and which have, in particular, a good and stable VHR.

The invention has the object of providing MLC displays, not only for monitor and TV applications, but also for mobile telephones and navigation systems, which are based on the ECB or IPS effect, do not have the disadvantages indicated above, or only do so to a lesser extent, and at the same time have very high specific resistance values. In particular, it must be ensured for mobile telephones and navigation systems that they also work at extremely high and extremely low temperatures.

Surprisingly, it has been found that it is possible to achieve liquid-crystal displays which have, in particular in ECB displays, a low threshold voltage with short response times and at the same time a sufficiently broad nematic phase, favorable, relatively low birefringence (Δn), good stability to decomposition by heating and by UV exposure, and a stable, high VHR if use is made in these display elements of nematic liquid-crystal mixtures which comprise at least one compound of the formula I and in each case at least one compound of the formula III-O, preferably of the sub-formulae III-O-1 and/or III-O-2, and preferably at least one compound of to formula II and/or at least one compound selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4, preferably of the formula III-3.

Media of this type can be used, in particular, for electro-optical displays having active-matrix addressing based on the ECB effect and for IPS (in-plane switching) displays.

The invention thus relates to a liquid-crystalline medium based on a mixture of polar compounds which comprises at least one compound of the formula I and one or more compounds of the formula III-O and preferably additionally one or more compounds of the formula II and/or additionally one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4.

The mixtures according to the invention exhibit very broad nematic phase ranges with clearing points 70° C., very favorable values for the capacitive threshold, relatively high values for the holding ratio and at the same time good low-temperature stabilities at −20° C. and −30° C., as well as very low rotational viscosities. The mixtures according to the invention are furthermore distinguished by a good ratio of clearing point and rotational viscosity and by a high negative dielectric anisotropy.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that it is possible to achieve liquid-crystalline media having a suitably high Δ∈, a suitable phase range and Δn which do not have the disadvantages of the prior-art materials, or at least only do so to a considerably reduced extent.

Surprisingly, it has been found here that the compounds of the formula I, even when used alone without additional heat stabilizers, result in considerable, in many cases adequate, stabilization of liquid-crystal mixtures both to UV exposure and also to heating. This is the case, in particular, in most cases in which the parameter R¹¹ in the compounds of the formula I used denotes O. The compounds of the formula I in which R¹¹ denotes O. are therefore particularly preferred, and the use of precisely these compounds in the liquid-crystal mixtures is particularly preferred.

However, adequate stabilization of liquid-crystal mixtures both against UV exposure and against heating can also be achieved, in particular, if one or more further compounds, preferably phenolic stabilizers, are present in the liquid-crystal mixture in addition to the compound of the formula I, or the compounds of the formula I. These further compounds are suitable as heat stabilizers.

The invention thus relates to compounds of the formula I, and to a liquid-crystalline medium having a nematic phase and negative dielectric anisotropy which comprises

-   a) one or more compounds of the formula I, preferably in a     concentration in the range from 1 ppm to 1000 ppm, preferably in the     range from 1 ppm to 500 ppm, particularly preferably in the range     from 1 ppm to 250 ppm,

-   -   in which     -   n denotes an integer from 1 to 4, preferably 1, 2 or 3,         particularly preferably 1 or 2, and very particularly preferably         2,     -   m denotes (4-n),

-   -   -   denotes an organic radical having 4 bonding sites,             preferably an alkanetetrayl unit having 1 to 20 C atoms, in             which, in addition to the m groups R¹² present in the             molecule, but independently thereof, a further H atom may be             replaced by R¹² or a plurality of further H atoms may be             replaced by R¹², preferably a straight-chain alkanetetrayl             unit having one valence on each of the two terminal C atoms,             in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may             be replaced by —O— or —(C═O)— in such a way that two O atoms             are not bonded directly to one another, or denotes a             substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heteroaromatic             hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 4 valences, in which, in             addition to the m groups R¹² present in the molecule, but             independently thereof, a further H atom may be replaced by             R¹² or a plurality of further H atoms may be replaced by             R¹²,

    -   Z¹¹ and Z¹², independently of one another, denote —O—, —(C═O)—,         —(N—R¹⁴)— or a single bond, but do not both simultaneously         denote —O—,

    -   r and s, independently of one another, denote 0 or 1,

    -   Y¹¹ to Y¹⁴ each, independently of one another, denote alkyl         having 1 to 4 C atoms, preferably methyl or ethyl, particularly         preferably all denote either methyl or ethyl and very         particularly preferably methyl, and alternatively, also         independently of one another, one or both of the pairs (Y¹¹ and         Y¹²) and (Y¹³ and Y¹⁴) together denote a divalent group having 3         to 6 C atoms, preferably having 5 C atoms, particularly         preferably 1,5-pentylene

    -   R¹¹ denotes O—R¹³, O. or OH, preferably O—R¹³ or O.,         particularly preferably O., OH, isopropoxy, cyclohexyloxy,         acetophenoxy or benzoxy and very particularly preferably OH,

R¹² on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes H, F, OR¹⁴, NR¹⁴R¹⁶, a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1-20 C atoms, in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, or denotes a hydrocarbon radical which contains a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl unit, and in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, and in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶, or denotes an aromatic or heteroaromatic hydrocarbon radical, in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶,

-   -   R¹³ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a         straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1-20 C atoms, in         which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be         replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot         be replaced by —O—, or denotes a hydrocarbon radical which         contains a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl unit, and in which one         —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by         —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced         by —O—, and in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be         replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶, or denotes an aromatic or         heteroaromatic hydrocarbon radical, in which one H atom or a         plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or         R¹⁶, or can be

-   -   -   (1,4-cyclohexylene), in which one or more —CH₂— groups may             be replaced by —O—, —CO— or —NR¹⁴—, or an acetophenyl,             isopropyl or 3-heptyl radical,

    -   R¹⁴ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a         straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C         atoms, preferably n-alkyl, or an aromatic hydrocarbon or         carboxyl radical having 6-12 C atoms, preferably with the         proviso that, in the case of N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵), at least one acyl         radical is present,

    -   R¹⁵ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a         straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C         atoms, preferably n-alkyl, or an aromatic hydrocarbon or         carboxyl radical having 6-12 C atoms, preferably with the         proviso that, in the case of N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵), at least one acyl         radical is present,

    -   R¹⁶ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a         straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms,         in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be         replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot         be replaced by —O—,

    -   with the provisos that,

    -   in the case where n=1, R¹¹=O. and

    -   —[Z¹¹—]_(r)—[Z¹²]_(s)—=—O—, —(CO)—O—, —O—(CO)—, —O—(CO)—O—,         —NR¹⁴— or —NR¹⁴—(CO)—,

-   -   -   does not denote         -   straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 10 C atoms,             also cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl, where             one or more —CH₂— groups in all these groups may be replaced             by —O— in such a way that two O atoms in the molecule are             not bonded directly to one another,         -   and

    -   in the case where n=2 and R¹¹=O—R¹³,

    -   R¹³ does not denote n-C₁₋₉-alkyl,         and

    -   compounds of the formula

-   -   are excluded from formula I, and

-   b) one or more compounds of the formula III-O

-   -   in which     -   R³¹ denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C         atoms, preferably an n-alkyl radical, particularly preferably         having 2 to 5 C atoms,     -   R³² denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C         atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms, or an unsubstituted         alkoxy radical having 1 to 6 C atoms, preferably having 1, 2, 3         or 4 C atoms, and

I denotes 1 or 2,

-   -   and

-   c) optionally, preferably obligatorily, one or more compounds of the     formula II

-   -   in which     -   R²¹ denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C atoms         or an unsubstituted alkenyl radical having 2 to 7 C atoms,         preferably an n-alkyl radical, particularly preferably having 3,         4 or 5 C atoms, and     -   R²² denotes an unsubstituted alkenyl radical having 2 to 7 C         atoms, preferably having 2, 3 or 4 C atoms, more preferably a         vinyl radical or a 1-propenyl radical and in particular a vinyl         radical,     -   and

-   d) optionally, preferably obligatorily, one or more compounds     selected from the group of the formulae III-1 to III-4, preferably     of the formula III-3,

-   -   in which     -   R³¹ denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C         atoms, preferably an n-alkyl radical, particularly preferably         having 2 to 5 C atoms,     -   R³² denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C         atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms, or an unsubstituted         alkoxy radical having 1 to 6 C atoms, preferably having 2, 3 or         4 C atoms, and     -   m, n and o each, independently of one another, denote 0 or 1.

The following embodiments are preferred:

-   -   which denotes

-   -   -   (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayl) or

    -   —CH₂—(CH—)—[CH₂]_(q)—(CH—)—CH₂— or

    -   >CH—[CH₂]_(p)—CH<, (where p∈{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 18} and q∈{0,         1, 2, 3 to 16}) or

-   -   which denotes     -   >CH—[CH₂]_(p)—CH₂— (where p∈{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 18}) or

-   -   which denotes     -   —CH₂— [CH₂]_(p)—CH₂— (where p∈{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 18}),         propane-1,2-diyl, butane-1,2-diyl, ethane-1,2-diyl,

-   -   -   (1,4-phenylene),

-   -   -   (1,2-phenylene or

-   -   -   (1,4-cyclohexylene).

In the present application, the elements all include their respective isotopes. In particular, one or more H in the compounds may be replaced by D, and this is also particularly preferred in some embodiments. A correspondingly high degree of deuteration of the corresponding compounds enables, for example, detection and recognition of the compounds. This is very helpful in some cases, in particular in the case of the compounds of the formula I.

In the present application,

-   alkyl particularly preferably denotes straight-chain alkyl, in     particular CH₃—, C₂H₅—, n-C₃H₇—, n-C₄H₉— or n-C₅H₁₁—, and -   alkenyl particularly preferably denotes CH₂═CH—, E-CH₃—CH═CH—,     CH₂═CH—CH₂—CH₂—, E-CH₃—CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂— or E-(n-C₃H₇)—CH═CH—.

The liquid-crystalline media in accordance with the present application preferably comprise in total 1 ppm to 1000 ppm, preferably 1 ppm to 500 ppm, even more preferably 1 to 250 ppm, preferably to 200 ppm and very particularly preferably 1 ppm to 100 ppm, of compounds of the formula I.

The concentration of the compounds of the formula I in the media according to the invention is preferably 90 ppm or less, particularly preferably 50 ppm or less. The concentration of the compounds of the formula I in the media according to the invention is very particularly preferably 10 ppm or more to 80 ppm or less.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the compounds of the formula I,

-   -   which denotes

-   -   (benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayl) or

-   -   which denotes

-   -   (benzene-1,3,5-triyl) or

-   -   denotes —(CH₂—)₂, —(CH₂—)₄, —(CH₂—)₆, —(CH₂—)₈,         propane-1,2-diyl, butane-1,2-diyl, ethane-1,2-diyl,

-   -   (1,4-phenylene),

-   -   (1,3-phenylene),

-   -   (1,2-phenylene) or

-   -   (trans-1,4-cyclohexylene) and/or     -   —[Z¹¹]_(r)—[Z¹²—]_(s) on each occurrence, independently of one         another, denotes —O—, —(C═O)—O— or —O—(C═O)—, —(N—R¹⁴)— or a         single bond, preferably —O— or —(C═O)—O— or —O—(C═O)—, and/or     -   R¹¹ denotes —O., OH or O—R¹³, preferably:         -   —O., —O—CH(—CH₃)₂, —O—CH(—CH₃)(—CH₂)₃—CH₃,             —O—CH(—C₂H₅)(—CH₂)₃—CH₃,

-   -   -   and/or

    -   R¹², if present, denotes alkyl or alkoxy, and/or

    -   R¹³ denotes isopropyl or 3-heptyl, acetophenyl or cyclohexyl.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the group

in the compounds of the formula I on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes

-   -   preferably

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, all groups

present in the compounds of the formula I have the same meaning.

These compounds are highly suitable as stabilizers in liquid-crystal mixtures. In particular, they stabilise the VHR of the mixtures against UV exposure.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-1 to I-9, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I-1 to I-4,

-   -   in which the parameters have the meanings indicated above under         formula I, and     -   t denotes an integer from 1 to 12,     -   R¹⁷ denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1-12         C atoms, in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups         may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups         cannot be replaced by —O—, or denotes an aromatic or         heteroaromatic hydrocarbon radical, in which one H atom or a         plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or         R¹⁶.

In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-1a-1 to I-8a-1:

In an even more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-2a-1 and I-2a-2:

In an alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-1b-1 and I-1b-2:

In an alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-1c-1 and I-1c-2:

In a further alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-1d-1 to I-1d-4:

In a further alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-3d-1 to I-3d-8:

In a further alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-4-d-1 and I-4d-2:

In a further alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-1e-1 and I-1e-2:

In a further alternative, preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I selected from the group of the following compounds of the formulae I-5e-1 to I-8e-1:

In addition to the compounds of the formula I or preferred sub-formulae thereof, the media in accordance with the present invention preferably comprise one or more dielectrically neutral compounds of the formula II in a total concentration in the range from 5% or more to 90% or less, preferably from 10% or more to 80% or less, particularly preferably from 20% or more to 70% or less.

The medium according to the invention preferably comprises one or more compounds selected from the group of the formulae III-1 to III-4 in a total concentration in the range from 10% or more to 80% or less, preferably from 15% or more to 70% or less, particularly preferably from 20% or more to 60% or less.

The medium according to the invention particularly preferably comprises

-   -   one or more compounds of the formula III-O in a total         concentration in the range from 5% or more to 40% or less,         preferably in the range from 10% or more to 30% or less, and/or     -   one or more compounds of the formula III-1 in a total         concentration in the range from 5% or more to 30% or less,         and/or     -   one or more compounds of the formula III-2 in a total         concentration in the range from 3% or more to 30% or less,         and/or     -   one or more compounds of the formula III-3 in a total         concentration in the range from 5% or more to 30% or less,         and/or     -   one or more compounds of the formula III-4 in a total         concentration in the range from 1% or more to 30% or less.

Preferred compounds of the formula II are the compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae II-1 and II-2, preferably of the formula II-1,

in which

-   alkyl denotes an alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C atoms, preferably     having 2 to 5 C atoms, -   alkenyl denotes an alkenyl radical having 2 to 5 C atoms, preferably     having 2 to 4 C atoms, particularly preferably 2 C atoms, -   alkenyl′ denotes an alkenyl radical having 2 to 5 C atoms,     preferably having 2 to 4 C atoms, particularly preferably having 2     to 3 C atoms.

The media according to the invention preferably comprise one or more compounds of the formula III-O selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-O-1 and III-O-2, preferably one or more of each of the compounds of the formulae III-O-1 and III-O-2,

in which the parameters have the meaning given above in the case of formula III-O, and preferably

-   R³¹ denotes an alkyl radical having 2 to 5 C atoms, preferably     having 3 to 5 C atoms, and -   R³² denotes an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 2 to 5 C atoms,     preferably an alkoxy radical having 1 C atom or having 2 to 4 C     atoms, or an alkenyloxy radical having 2 to 4 C atoms.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds of the formula III-1, preferably one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1-1 and III-1-2,

in which the parameters have the meanings given above for formula III-1, and preferably

-   R³¹ denotes an alkyl radical having 2 to 5 C atoms, preferably     having 3 to 5 C atoms, and -   R³² denotes an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 2 to 5 C atoms,     preferably an alkoxy radical having 2 to 4 C atoms, or an alkenyloxy     radical having 2 to 4 C atoms.

The media according to the invention preferably comprise one or more compounds of the formula III-2, preferably one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-2-1 and III-2-2,

in which the parameters have the meanings given above for formula III-2, and preferably

-   R³¹ denotes an alkyl radical having 2 to 5 C atoms, preferably     having 3 to 5 C atoms, and -   R³² denotes an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 2 to 5 C atoms,     preferably an alkoxy radical having 2 to 4 C atoms, or an alkenyloxy     radical having 2 to 4 C atoms.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds of the formula III-3, preferably one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-3-1 and III-3-2, very particularly preferably of the formula III-3-2,

in which the parameters have the meanings given above for formula III-3, and preferably

-   R³¹ denotes an alkyl radical having 2 to 5 C atoms, preferably     having 3 to 5 C atoms, and -   R³² denotes an alkyl or alkoxy radical having 2 to 5 C atoms,     preferably an alkoxy radical having 2 to 4 C atoms, or an alkenyloxy     radical having 2 to 4 C atoms.

In a preferred embodiment, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds of the formula II selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I′-1 and II-2.

In a different preferred embodiment, the media according to the invention comprise no compounds of the formula II.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula IV

in which

-   R⁴¹ denotes alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C     atoms, and -   R⁴² denotes alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms or alkoxy having 1 to 6 C     atoms, both preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula V

in which

-   R⁵¹ and R⁵², independently of one another, have one of the meanings     given for R²¹ and R²² and preferably denote alkyl having 1 to 7 C     atoms, preferably n-alkyl, particularly preferably n-alkyl having 1     to 5 C atoms, alkoxy having 1 to 7 C atoms, preferably n-alkoxy,     particularly preferably n-alkoxy having 2 to 5 C atoms, alkoxyalkyl,     alkenyl or alkenyloxy having 2 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2 to     4 C atoms, preferably alkenyloxy,

to

if present, each, independently of one another, denote

preferably

preferably

denotes

and, if present,

preferably denotes

-   Z⁵¹ to Z⁵³ each, independently of one another, denote —CH₂—CH₂—,     —CH₂—O—, —CH═CH—, —C≡C—, —COO— or a single bond, preferably     —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—O— or a single bond and particularly preferably a     single bond, -   p and q each, independently of one another, denote 0 or 1, -   (p+q) preferably denotes 0 or 1.

The media according to the invention preferably comprise the following compounds in the total concentrations indicated:

-   -   10-60% by weight of one or more compounds selected from the         group of the compounds of the formulae III-O and III-1 to III-4         and/or     -   30-80% by weight of one or more compounds of the formulae IV         and/or V,     -   where the total content of all compounds in the medium is 100%.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae OH-1 to OH-6,

These compounds are highly suitable for the heat stabilization of the media.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the media according to the invention comprise, in particular, one or more compounds of the formula I in which R¹¹, or at least one of R¹¹, denotes O., these media can also have adequate stability if they do not comprise a phenol compound, in particular selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae OH-1 to OH-6.

In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention at least in each case comprise one or more compounds of the formula I in which the groups R¹¹ of the one compound of the formula I have a different meaning than in the other compounds of the formula I.

The present invention also relates to electro-optical displays or electro-optical components which contain liquid-crystalline media according to the invention. Preference is given to electro-optical displays which are based on the VA or ECB effect and in particular those which are addressed by means of an active-matrix addressing device.

Accordingly, the present invention likewise relates to the use of a liquid-crystalline medium according to the invention in an electro-optical display or in an electro-optical component, and to a process for the preparation of the liquid-crystalline media according to the invention, characterised in that one or more compounds of the formula I are mixed with one or more compounds of the formula II, preferably with one or more compounds of the sub-formula II-1, and one or more further compounds, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4 and IV and/or V.

In addition, the present invention relates to a method for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium which comprises one or more compounds of the formula III-O, optionally one or more compounds of the formula II and/or one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4, characterised in that one or more compounds of the formula I are added to the medium.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula IV, selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae IV-1 and IV-2,

in which

-   alkyl and alkyl′, independently of one another, denote alkyl having     1 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms, -   alkoxy denotes alkoxy having 1 to 5 C atoms, preferably having 2 to     4 C atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula V selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1 to V-7 and VI-1 to VI-3, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1 to V-5,

in which the parameters have the meanings given above under formula V, and

-   Y⁵ denotes H or F, and preferably -   R⁵¹ denotes alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms or alkenyl having 2 to 7 C     atoms, and -   R⁵² denotes alkyl having 1 to 7 C atoms, alkenyl having 2 to 7 C     atoms or alkoxy having 1 to 6 C atoms, preferably alkyl or alkenyl,     particularly preferably alkenyl.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula V-1 selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-1a and V-1b, preferably of the formula V-1b,

in which

-   alkyl and alkyl′, independently of one another, denote alkyl having     1 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms, -   alkoxy denotes alkoxy having 1 to 5 C atoms, preferably having 2 to     4 C atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula V-3 selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-3a and V-3b,

in which

-   alkyl and alkyl′, independently of one another, denote alkyl having     1 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms, and -   alkenyl denotes alkenyl having 2 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2     to 5 C atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula V-4 selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae V-4a and V-4-b,

in which

-   alkyl and alkyl′, independently of one another, denote alkyl having     1 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms.

In a further preferred embodiment, the medium comprises one or more compounds of the formula III-4, preferably of the formula III-4-a,

in which

-   alkyl and alkyl′, independently of one another, denote alkyl having     1 to 7 C atoms, preferably having 2 to 5 C atoms.

The liquid-crystal media in accordance with the present invention may comprise one or more chiral compounds.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention meet one or more of the following conditions,

where the acronyms (abbreviations) are explained in Tables A to C and illustrated by examples in Table D.

-   i. The liquid-crystalline medium has a birefringence of 0.060 or     more, particularly preferably 0.070 or more. -   ii. The liquid-crystalline medium has a birefringence of 0.130 or     less, particularly preferably 0.120 or less. -   iii. The liquid-crystalline medium has a birefringence in the range     from 0.090 or more to 0.120 or less. -   iv. The liquid-crystalline medium has a negative dielectric     anisotropy having a value of 2.0 or more, particularly preferably     3.0 or more. -   v. The liquid-crystalline medium has a negative dielectric     anisotropy having a value of 5.5 or less, particularly preferably     4.0 or less. -   vi. The liquid-crystalline medium has a negative dielectric     anisotropy having a value in the range from 2.5 or more to 3.8 or     less. -   vii. The liquid-crystalline medium comprises one or more     particularly preferred compounds of the formula II selected from the     sub-formulae given below:

-    in which alkyl has the meaning given above and preferably, in each     case independently of one another, denotes alkyl having 1 to 6,     preferably having 2 to 5, C atoms and particularly preferably     n-alkyl. -   viii. The total concentration of the compounds of the formula II in     the mixture as a whole is 25% or more, preferably 30% or more, and     is preferably in the range from 25% or more to 49% or less,     particularly preferably in the range from 29% or more to 47% or     less, and very particularly preferably in the range from 37% or more     to 44% or less. -   ix. The liquid-crystalline medium comprises one or more compounds of     the formula II selected from the group of the compounds of the     following formulae: CC-n-V and/or CC-n-Vm, particularly preferably     CC-3-V, preferably in a concentration of up to 50% or less,     particularly preferably up to 42% or less, and optionally     additionally CC-3-V1, preferably in a concentration of up to 15% or     less, and/or CC-4-V, preferably in a concentration of up to 20% or     less, particularly preferably up to 10% or less. -   x. The total concentration of the compounds of the formula CC-3-V in     the mixture as a whole is 20% or more, preferably 25% or more. -   xi. The proportion of compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4 in     the mixture as a whole is 50% or more and preferably 75% or less. -   xii. The liquid-crystalline medium essentially consists of compounds     of the formulae I, II, III-1 to III-4, IV and V, preferably of     compounds of the formulae I, II and III-1 to III-4. -   xiii. The liquid-crystalline medium comprises one or more compounds     of the formula IV, preferably in a total concentration of 5% or     more, in particular 10% or more, and very particularly preferably     15% or more to 40% or less.

The invention furthermore relates to an electro-optical display having active-matrix addressing based on the VA or ECB effect, characterised in that it contains, as dielectric, a liquid-crystalline medium in accordance with the present invention.

The liquid-crystal mixture preferably has a nematic phase range having a width of at least 80 degrees and a flow viscosity ν₂₀ of at most 30 mm²·s⁻¹ at 20° C.

The liquid-crystal mixture according to the invention has a Δ∈ of −0.5 to −8.0, in particular −1.5 to −6.0, and very particularly preferably −2.0 to −5.0, where Δ∈ denotes the dielectric anisotropy.

The rotational viscosity γ₁ is preferably 120 mPa·s or less, in particular 100 mPa·s or less.

The mixtures according to the invention are suitable for all VA-TFT applications, such as, for example, VAN, MVA, (S)-PVA and ASV. They are furthermore suitable for IPS (in-plane switching), FFS (fringe-field switching) and PALC applications having negative A.

The nematic liquid-crystal mixtures in the displays according to the invention generally comprise two components A and B, which themselves consist of one or more individual compounds.

The liquid-crystalline media according to the invention preferably comprise 4 to 15, in particular 5 to 12, and particularly preferably 10 or less, compounds. These are preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I, II and III-1 to III-4, and/or IV and/or V.

The liquid-crystalline media according to the invention may optionally also comprise more than 18 compounds. In this case, they preferably comprise 18 to 25 compounds.

Besides compounds of the formulae I to V, other constituents may also be present, for example in an amount of up to 45%, but preferably up to 35%, in particular up to 10%, of the mixture as a whole.

The media according to the invention may optionally also comprise a dielectrically positive component, whose total concentration is preferably 10% or less, based on the entire medium.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention comprise in total, based on the mixture as a whole,

10 ppm or more to 1000 ppm or less, preferably 50 ppm or more to 500 ppm or less, particularly preferably 100 ppm or more to 400 ppm or less and very particularly preferably 150 ppm or more to 300 ppm or less, of the compound of the formula I, 20% or more to 60% or less, preferably 25% or more to 50% or less, particularly preferably 30% or more to 45% or less, of compounds of the formula II, and 50% or more to 70% or less of compounds of the formulae III-1 to III-4.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention comprise compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I, II, III-1 to III-4, IV and V, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae I, II and III-1 to III-4; they preferably consist predominantly, particularly preferably essentially and very particularly preferably virtually completely of the compounds of the said formulae.

The liquid-crystal media according to the invention preferably have a nematic phase from in each case at least −20° C. or less to 70° C. or more, particularly preferably from −30° C. or less to 80° C. or more, very particularly preferably from −40° C. or less to 85° C. or more and most preferably from −40° C. or less to 90° C. or more.

The expression “have a nematic phase” here means on the one hand that no smectic phase and no crystallisation are observed at low temperatures at the corresponding temperature and on the other hand that no clearing occurs on heating out of the nematic phase. The investigation at low temperatures is carried out in a flow viscometer at the corresponding temperature and checked by storage in test cells having a cell thickness corresponding to the electro-optical application for at least 100 hours. If the storage stability at a temperature of −20° C. in a corresponding test cell is 1000 h or more, the medium is regarded as stable at this temperature. At temperatures of −30° C. and −40° C., the corresponding times are 500 h and 250 h respectively. At high temperatures, the clearing point is measured in capillaries by conventional methods.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention are characterised by optical anisotropy values in the moderate to low range. The birefringence values are preferably in the range from 0.065 or more to 0.130 or less, particularly preferably in the range from 0.080 or more to 0.120 or less and very particularly preferably in the range from 0.085 or more to 0.110 or less.

In this embodiment, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention have negative dielectric anisotropy and relatively high absolute values of the dielectric anisotropy (|Δ∈|) which are preferably in the range from 2.7 or more to 5.3 or less, preferably to 4.5 or less, preferably from 2.9 or more to 4.5 or less, particularly preferably from 3.0 or more to 4.0 or less and very particularly preferably from 3.5 or more to 3.9 or less.

The liquid-crystal media according to the invention have relatively low values for the threshold voltage (V₀) in the range from 1.7 V or more to 2.5 V or less, preferably from 1.8 V or more to 2.4 V or less, particularly preferably from 1.9 V or more to 2.3 V or less and very particularly preferably from 1.95 V or more to 2.1 V or less.

In a further preferred embodiment, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention preferably have relatively low values of the average dielectric anisotropy (∈_(av.)≡(∈_(∥)+2∈_(⊥))/3) which are preferably in the range from 5.0 or more to 7.0 or less, preferably from 5.5 or more to 6.5 or less, still more preferably from 5.7 or more to 6.4 or less, particularly preferably from 5.8 or more to 6.2 or less and very particularly preferably from 5.9 or more to 6.1 or less.

In addition, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention have high values for the VHR in liquid-crystal cells.

In freshly filled cells at 20° C. in the cells, these are greater than or equal to 95%, preferably greater than or equal to 97%, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 98% and very particularly preferably greater than or equal to 99%, and after 5 minutes in the oven at 100° C. in the cells, these are greater than or equal to 90%, preferably greater than or equal to 93%, particularly preferably greater than or equal to 96% and very particularly preferably greater than or equal to 98%.

In general, liquid-crystal media having a low addressing voltage or threshold voltage here have a lower VHR than those having a higher addressing voltage or threshold voltage, and vice versa.

These preferred values for the individual physical properties are preferably also in each case maintained by the media according to the invention in combination with one another.

In the present application, the term “compounds”, also written as “compound(s)”, means both one and also a plurality of compounds, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

Unless indicated otherwise, the individual compounds are generally employed in the mixtures in concentrations in each case from 1% or more to 30% or less, preferably from 2% or more to 30% or less and particularly preferably from 3% or more to 16% or less.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid-crystalline media according to the invention comprise

the compound of the formula I, one or more compounds of the formula II, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae CC-n-V and CC-n-Vm, preferably CC-3-V, CC-3-V1, CC-4-V and CC-5-V, particularly preferably selected from the group of the compounds CC-3-V, CC-3-V1 and CC-4-V, very particularly preferably the compound CC-3-V, and optionally additionally the compound(s) CC-4-V and/or CC-3-V1, one or more compounds of the formula III-1-1, preferably of the formula CY-n-Om, selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae CY-3-O2, CY-3-O4, CY-5-O2 and CY-5-O4, one or more compounds of the formula III-1-2, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae CCY-n-m and CCY-n-Om, preferably of the formula CCY-n-Om, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae CCY-3-O2, CCY-2-O2, CCY-3-O1, CCY-3-O3, CCY-4-O2, CCY-3-O2 and CCY-5-O2, optionally, preferably obligatorily, one or more compounds of the formula III-2-2, preferably of the formula CLY-n-Om, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae CLY-2-O4, CLY-3-O2, CLY-3-O3, one or more compounds of the formula III-3-2, preferably of the formula CPY-n-Om, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae CPY-2-O2 and CPY-3-O2, CPY-4-O2 and CPY-5-O2, one or more compounds of the formula III-4, preferably of the formula PYP-n-m, preferably selected from the group of the compounds of the formulae PYP-2-3 and PYP-2-4.

For the present invention, the following definitions apply in connection with the specification of the constituents of the compositions, unless indicated otherwise in individual cases:

-   -   “comprise”: the concentration of the constituents in question in         the composition is preferably 5% or more, particularly         preferably 10% or more, very particularly preferably 20% or         more,     -   “predominantly consist of”: the concentration of the         constituents in question in the composition is preferably 50% or         more, particularly preferably 55% or more and very particularly         preferably 60% or more,     -   “essentially consist of”: the concentration of the constituents         in question in the composition is preferably 80% or more,         particularly preferably 90% or more and very particularly         preferably 95% or more, and     -   “virtually completely consist of”: the concentration of the         constituents in question in the composition is preferably 98% or         more, particularly preferably 99% or more and very particularly         preferably 100.0%.

This applies both to the media as compositions with their constituents, which can be components and compounds, and also to the components with their constituents, the compounds. Only in relation to the concentration of an individual compound relative to the medium as a whole does the term comprise mean: the concentration of the compound in question is preferably 1% or more, particularly preferably 2% or more, very particularly preferably 4% or more.

For the present invention, “≦” means less than or equal to, preferably less than, and “≧” means greater than or equal to, preferably greater than.

For the present invention,

denote trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, and

denote 1,4-phenylene.

For the present invention, the expression “dielectrically positive compounds” means compounds having a Δ∈ of >1.5, the expression “dielectrically neutral compounds” means those where −1.5≦Δ∈≦1.5 and the expression “dielectrically negative compounds” means those where Δ∈<−1.5. The dielectric anisotropy of the compounds is determined here by dissolving 10% of the compounds in a liquid-crystalline host and determining the capacitance of the resultant mixture in each case in at least one test cell having a cell thickness of 20 μm with homeotropic and with homogeneous surface alignment at 1 kHz. The measurement voltage is typically 0.5 V to 1.0 V, but is always lower than the capacitive threshold of the respective liquid-crystal mixture investigated.

The host mixture used for dielectrically positive and dielectrically neutral compounds is ZLI-4792 and that used for dielectrically negative compounds is ZLI-2857, both from Merck KGaA, Germany. The values for the respective compounds to be investigated are obtained from the change in the dielectric constant of the host mixture after addition of the compound to be investigated and extrapolation to 100% of the compound employed. The compound to be investigated is dissolved in the host mixture in an amount of 10%. If the solubility of the substance is too low for this purpose, the concentration is halved in steps until the investigation can be carried out at the desired temperature.

The liquid-crystal media according to the invention may, if necessary, also comprise further additives, such as, for example, stabilizers and/or pleo-chroic dyes and/or chiral dopants in the usual amounts. The amount of these additives employed is preferably in total 0% or more to 10% or less, based on the amount of the entire mixture, particularly preferably 0.1% or more to 6% or less. The concentration of the individual compounds employed is preferably 0.1% or more to 3% or less. The concentration of these and similar additives is generally not taken into account when specifying the concentrations and concentration ranges of the liquid-crystal compounds in the liquid-crystal media.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid-crystal media according to the invention comprise a polymer precursor which comprises one or more reactive compounds, preferably reactive mesogens, and, if necessary, also further additives, such as, for example, polymerisation initiators and/or polymerisation moderators, in the usual amounts. The amount of these additives employed is in total 0% or more to 10% or less, based on the amount of the entire mixture, preferably 0.1% or more to 2% or less. The concentration of these and similar additives is not taken into account when specifying the concentrations and concentration ranges of the liquid-crystal compounds in the liquid-crystal media.

The compositions consist of a plurality of compounds, preferably 3 or more to 30 or fewer, particularly preferably 6 or more to 20 or fewer and very particularly preferably 10 or more to 16 or fewer compounds, which are mixed in a conventional manner. In general, the desired amount of the components used in lesser amount is dissolved in the components making up the principal constituent of the mixture. This is advantageously carried out at elevated temperature. If the selected temperature is above the clearing point of the principal constituent, completion of the dissolution operation is particularly easy to observe. However, it is also possible to prepare the liquid-crystal mixtures in other conventional ways, for example using pre-mixes or from a so-called “multibottle system”.

The mixtures according to the invention exhibit very broad nematic phase ranges having clearing points of 65° C. or more, very favorable values for the capacitive threshold, relatively high values for the holding ratio and at the same time very good low-temperature stabilities at −30° C. and −40° C. Furthermore, the mixtures according to the invention are distinguished by low rotational viscosities γ₁.

It goes without saying to the person skilled in the art that the media according to the invention for use in VA, IPS, FFS or PALC displays may also comprise compounds in which, for example, H, N, O, Cl, F have been replaced by the corresponding isotopes.

The structure of the liquid-crystal displays according to the invention corresponds to the usual geometry, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 240 379.

The liquid-crystal phases according to the invention can be modified by means of suitable additives in such a way that they can be employed in any type of, for example, ECB, VAN, IPS, GH or ASM-VA LCD display that has been disclosed to date.

Table E below indicates possible dopants which can be added to the mixtures according to the invention. If the mixtures comprise one or more dopants, it is (they are) employed in amounts of 0.01 to 4%, preferably 0.1 to 1.0%.

Stabilizers which can be added, for example, to the mixtures according to the invention, preferably in amounts of 0.01 to 6%, in particular 0.1 to 3%, are shown below in Table F.

For the purposes of the present invention, all concentrations are, unless explicitly noted otherwise, indicated in percent by weight and relate to the corresponding mixture or mixture component, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

All temperature values indicated in the present application, such as, for example, the melting point T(C,N), the smectic (S) to nematic (N) phase transition T(S,N) and the clearing point T(N,I), are indicated in degrees Celsius (° C.) and all temperature differences are correspondingly indicated in differential degrees (° or degrees), unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

For the present invention, the term “threshold voltage” relates to the capacitive threshold (V₀), also known as the Freedericks threshold, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

All physical properties are and have been determined in accordance with “Merck Liquid Crystals, Physical Properties of Liquid Crystals”, status November 1997, Merck KGaA, Germany, and apply for a temperature of 20° C., and

Δn is determined at 589 nm and Δ∈ at 1 kHz, unless explicitly indicated otherwise in each case.

The electro-optical properties, for example the threshold voltage (V₀) (capacitive measurement), are, as is the switching behaviour, determined in test cells produced at Merck Japan. The measurement cells have soda-lime glass substrates and are constructed in an ECB or VA configuration with polyimide alignment layers (SE-1211 with diluent **26 (mixing ratio 1:1), both from Nissan Chemicals, Japan), which have been rubbed perpendicularly to one another and effect homeotropic alignment of the liquid crystals. The surface area of the transparent, virtually square ITO electrodes is 1 cm².

Unless indicated otherwise, a chiral dopant is not added to the liquid-crystal mixtures used, but the latter are also particularly suitable for applications in which doping of this type is necessary.

The VHR is determined in test cells produced at Merck Japan. The measurement cells have soda-lime glass substrates and are constructed with polyimide alignment layers (AL-3046 from Japan Synthetic Rubber, Japan) with a layer thickness of 50 nm, which have been rubbed perpendicularly to one another. The layer thickness is a uniform 6.0 μm. The surface area of the transparent ITO electrodes is 1 cm².

The VHR is determined at 20° C. (VHR₂₀) and after 5 minutes in an oven at 100° C. (VHR₁₀₀) in a commercially available instrument from Autronic Melchers, Germany. The voltage used has a frequency of 60 Hz.

The accuracy of the VHR measurement values depends on the respective value of the VHR. The accuracy decreases with decreasing values. The deviations generally observed in the case of values in the various magnitude ranges are compiled in their order of magnitude in the following table.

Deviation VHR range (relative) VHR values Δ_(G)VHR/VHR/% from to Approx. 99.6%   100%  +/−0.1 99.0%   99.6%   +/−0.2 98% 99% +/−0.3 95% 98% +/−0.5 90% 95% +/−1 80% 90% +/−2 60% 80% +/−4 40% 60% +/−8 20% 40% +/−10 10% 20% +/−20

The stability to UV irradiation is investigated in a “Suntest CPS”, a commercial instrument from Heraeus, Germany. The sealed test cells are irradiated for 2.0 hours without additional heating. The irradiation power in the wavelength range from 300 nm to 800 nm is 765 W/m² V. A UV “cut-off” filter having an edge wavelength of 310 nm is used in order to simulate the so-called window glass mode. In each series of experiments, at least four test cells are investigated for each condition, and the respective results are indicated as averages of the corresponding individual measurements.

The decrease in the voltage holding ratio (ΔVHR) usually caused by the exposure, for example by UV irradiation by LCD backlighting, is determined in accordance with the following equation (1):

ΔVHR(t)=VHR(t)−VHR(t=0)  (1).

A further characteristic quantity which, besides the VHR, can characterise the conductivity of the liquid-crystal mixtures is the ion density. High values of the ion density often result in the occurrence of display faults, such as image sticking and flickering. The ion density is preferably determined in test cells produced at Merck Japan Ltd. The test cells have substrates made from soda-lime glass and are designed with polyimide alignment layers (AL-3046 from Japan Synthetic Rubber, Japan) having a polyimide layer thickness of 40 nm. The layer thickness of the liquid-crystal mixture is a uniform 5.8 μm. The area of the circular, transparent ITO electrodes, which are additionally fitted with a guard ring, is 1 cm². The accuracy of the measurement method is about ±15%. The cells are dried overnight in an oven at 120° C. before filling with the relevant liquid-crystal mixture.

The ion density is measured using a commercially available instrument from TOYO, Japan. The measurement method is essentially a measurement method which is analogous to cyclic voltammetry, as described in M. Inoue, “Recent Measurement of Liquid Crystal Material Characteristics”, Proceedings IDW 2006, LCT-7-1,647. In this method, an applied direct voltage is varied between a positive and negative maximum value in accordance with a pre-specified triangular profile. A complete run through the profile thus forms one measurement cycle. If the applied voltage is sufficiently large that the ions in the field are able to move to the respective electrode, an ion current forms due to discharge of the ions. The amount of charge transferred here is typically in the range from a few pC to a few nC. This makes highly sensitive detection necessary, which is ensured by the above-mentioned instrument. The results are depicted in a current/voltage curve. The ion current here is evident from the occurrence of a peak at voltages which are smaller than the threshold voltage of the liquid-crystal mixture. Integration of the peak area gives the value for the ion density of the mixture investigated. Four test cells are measured per mixture. The repetition frequency of the triangular voltage is 0.033 Hz, the measurement temperature is 60° C., the maximum voltage is ±3 V to ±10 V, depending on the magnitude of the dielectric anisotropy of the relevant mixture.

The rotational viscosity is determined using the rotating permanent magnet method and the flow viscosity in a modified Ubbelohde viscometer. For liquid-crystal mixtures ZLI-2293, ZLI-4792 and MLC-6608, all products from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, the rotational viscosity values determined at 20° C. are 161 mPa·s, 133 mPa·s and 186 mPa·s respectively, and the flow viscosity values (ν) are 21 mm²·s⁻¹, 14 mm²·s⁻¹ and 27 mm²·s⁻¹ respectively.

The following symbols are used, unless explicitly indicated otherwise:

-   V₀ threshold voltage, capacitive [V] at 20° C., -   n_(e) extraordinary refractive index measured at 20° C. and 589 nm, -   n_(o) ordinary refractive index measured at 20° C. and 589 nm, -   Δn optical anisotropy measured at 20° C. and 589 nm, -   ∈_(⊥) dielectric susceptibility perpendicular to the director at     20° C. and 1 kHz, -   ∈_(∥) dielectric susceptibility parallel to the director at 20° C.     and 1 kHz, -   Δ∈ dielectric anisotropy at 20° C. and 1 kHz, -   cl.p. or T(N,I) clearing point [° C.], -   ν flow viscosity measured at 20° C. [mm²·s⁻¹], -   γ₁ rotational viscosity measured at 20° C. [mPa·s], -   K₁ elastic constant, “splay” deformation at 20° C. [pN], -   K₂ elastic constant, “twist” deformation at 20° C. [pN], -   K₃ elastic constant, “bend” deformation at 20° C. [pN], and -   LTS low-temperature stability of the phase, determined in test     cells, -   VHR voltage holding ratio, -   ΔVHR decrease in the voltage holding ratio, -   S_(rel) relative stability of the VHR.

Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.

In the foregoing and in the examples, all temperatures are set forth uncorrected in degrees Celsius and, all parts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited herein and of corresponding DE application No. 10 2012 020 374.8, filed Oct. 18, 2012, are incorporated by reference herein.

The following examples explain the present invention without limiting it. However, they show the person skilled in the art preferred mixture concepts with compounds preferably to be employed and the respective concentrations thereof and combinations thereof with one another. In addition, the examples illustrate the properties and property combinations that are accessible.

For the present invention and in the following examples, the structures of the liquid-crystal compounds are indicated by means of acronyms, with the transformation into chemical formulae taking place in accordance with Tables A to C below. All radicals C_(n)H_(2n+1), C_(m)H_(2m+1) and C_(l)H_(2m+1) or C_(n)H_(2n), C_(m)H_(2m) and C_(l)H_(2l) are straight-chain alkyl radicals or alkylene radicals, in each case having n, m and l C atoms respectively. Table A shows the codes for the ring elements of the nuclei of the compound, Table B lists the bridging units, and Table C lists the meanings of the symbols for the left- and right-hand end groups of the molecules. The acronyms are composed of the codes for the ring elements with optional linking groups, folowed by a first hyphen and the codes for the left-hand end group, and a second hyphen and the codes for the right-hand end group. Table D shows illustrative structures of compounds together with their respective abbreviations.

TABLE A Ring elements C

D

Dl

A

Al

P

G

Gl

U

Ul

Y

P(F, Cl)Y

P(Cl, F)Y

np

n3f

nN3fl

th

thl

tH2f

tH2fl

o2f

o2fl

dh

K

Kl

L

Ll

F

Fl

TABLE B Bridging units E —CH₂—CH₂— V —CH═CH— T —C≡C— W —CF₂—CF₂— B —CF═CF— Z —CO—O— ZI —O—CO— X —CF═CH— XI —CH═CF— O —CH₂—O— OI —O—CH₂— Q —CF₂—O— QI —O—CF₂—

TABLE C End groups On the left individually or On the right individually or in combination in combination -n- C_(n)H_(2n+1)— -n —C_(n)H_(2n+1) -nO- C_(n)H_(2n+1)—O— -nO —O—C_(n)H_(2n+1) -V- CH₂═CH— -V —CH═CH₂ -nV- C_(n)H_(2n+1)—CH═CH— -nV —C_(n)H_(2n)—CH═CH₂ -Vn- CH₂═CH—C_(n)H_(2n)— -Vn —CH═CH—C_(n)H_(2n+1) -nVm- C_(n)H_(2n+1)—CH═CH—C_(m)H_(2m)— -nVm —C_(n)H_(2n)—CH═CH—C_(m)H_(2m+1) -N- N≡C— -N —C≡N -S- S═C═N— -S —N═C═S -F- F— -F —F -CL- Cl— -CL —Cl -M- CFH₂— -M —CFH₂ -D- CF₂H— -D —CF₂H -T- CF₃— -T —CF₃ -MO- CFH₂O— -OM —OCFH₂ -DO- CF₂HO— -OD —OCF₂H -TO- CF₃O— -OT —OCF₃ -A- H—C≡C— -A —C≡C—H -nA- C_(n)H_(2n+1)—C≡C— -An —C≡C—C_(n)H_(2n+1) -NA- N≡C—C≡C— -AN —C≡C—C≡N On the left only in combination On the right only in combination -...n...- —C_(n)H_(2n)— -...n... —C_(n)H_(2n)— -...M...- —CFH— -...M... —CFH— -...D...- —CF₂— -...D... —CF₂— -...V...- —CH═CH— -...V... —CH═CH— -...I...- —CO—O— -...I... —CO—O— -...ZI...- —O—CO— -...ZI... —O—CO— -...K...- —CO— -...K... —CO— -...W...- —CF═CF— -...W... —CF═CF— in which n and m are each integers, and the three dots “...” are place-holders for other abbreviations from this table.

Besides the compounds of the formula I, the mixtures according to the invention preferably comprise one or more compounds of the compounds mentioned below.

The following abbreviations are used:

(m, m and z are, independently of one another, each an integer, preferably 1 to 6)

TABLE D

Table E shows chiral dopants which are preferably employed in the mixtures according to the invention.

TABLE E

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds from Table E.

Table F shows stabilizers which can preferably be employed in the mixtures according to the invention in addition to the compounds of the formula I. The parameter n here denotes an integer in the range from 1 to 12. In particular, the phenol derivatives shown can be employed as additional stabilizers since they act as antioxidants.

TABLE F

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the media according to the invention comprise one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds from Table F, in particular one or more compounds selected from the group of the compounds of the two formulae

EXAMPLES

The following examples explain the present invention without restricting it in any way. However, the physical properties make it clear to the person skilled in the art what properties can be achieved and in what ranges they can be modified. In particular, the combination of the various properties which can preferably be achieved is thus well defined for the person skilled in the art.

Substance Examples

The following substances are preferred substances of the formula I in accordance with the present application or substances of the formula I preferably to be employed in accordance with the present application.

Synthesis Example 1 Synthesis of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-N,N′-dioxyl succinate (Substance Example 1)

2.15 g (12.26 mmol) of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, 40 mg (0.33 mmol) of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and 1 ml (12.4 mmol) of dried pyridine are initially introduced in 20 ml of dry dichloromethane. 4 angstrom activated molecular sieve is subsequently added, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature (RT for short; about 22° C.) for 90 min. The reaction solution is cooled to a temperature in the range from 7 to 10° C., and 0.71 ml (6.13 mmol) of succinyl dichloride is slowly added, and the mixture is stirred at RT for 18 h. Sufficient sat. NaHCO₃ solution and dichloromethane are added to the reaction solution, and the organic phase is separated off, washed with water and sat. NaCl solution, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product is purified over silica gel with dichloromethane/methyl tert-butyl ether (95:5), giving the product as a white solid having a purity of >99.5%.

Synthesis Example 2 Synthesis of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl-4-yl)decanedioate (Substance Example 4)

28.5 g (166 mmol) of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl (free radical) and 250 mg (2.05 mmol) of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine are dissolved in 300 ml of degassed dichloromethane, and 50.0 ml (361 mmol) of triethylamine are added. The mixture is subsequently degassed and cooled to 0° C., and 10 g (41.4 mmol) of sebacoyl chloride dissolved in 100 ml of degassed dichloromethane are added dropwise at 0-5° C., and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. When the reaction is complete, water and HCl (pH=4-5) are added with ice-cooling, and the mixture is stirred for a further 30 min. The organic phase is separated off, and the water phase is subsequently extracted with dichloromethane, and the combined phases are washed with saturated NaCl solution and dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated, giving 24.4 g of a red liquid, which together are passed through 100 g of basic Al₂O₃ and 500 g of silica gel on a frit with dichloromethane/methyl tert-butyl ether (95/5), giving orange crystals, which are dissolved in degassed acetonitrile at 50° C. and crystallised at −25° C., giving the product as orange crystals having an HPLC purity of 99.9%.

Synthesis Example 3 Synthesis of bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl)-N,N′-dioxylbutanediol (Substance Example 7)

Sufficient pentane is added to 15.0 g (60% in mineral oil, 375 mmol) of NaH under a protective gas, and the mixture is allowed to settle. The pentane supernatant is pipetted off and carefully quenched with isopropanol with cooling. 100 ml of THF are then carefully added to the washed NaH. The reaction mixture is heated to 55° C., and a solution of 50.0 g (284 mmol) of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl in 400 ml of THF is carefully added dropwise. The hydrogen formed is discharged directly. When the addition of the solution is complete, stirring is continued at 60° C. overnight (16 h). The reaction mixture is subsequently cooled to 5° C., and 1,4-butanediol dimethylsulfonate is added in portions. The mixture is subsequently slowly heated to 60° C. and stirred at this temperature for 16 h. When the reaction is complete, the mixture is cooled to RT, and 200 ml of 6% ammonia solution in water are added with cooling, and the mixture is stirred for 1 h. The organic phase is subsequently separated off, the aqueous phase is rinsed with methyl tert-butyl ether, the combined organic phases are washed with sat. NaCl solution, dried and evaporated. The crude product is purified over silica gel with dichloromethane/methyl tert-butyl ether (8:2) and crystallised from acetonitrile at −20° C., giving the product as a pink crystalline solid having a purity of >99.5%.

Synthesis Example 4 Synthesis of bis[2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenyl-ethoxy)piperidin-4-yl]succinate (Substance Example 24)

Step 4.1: Synthesis of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenylethoxy)piperidin-4-ol

5.0 g (29.03 mmol) of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl, 7.80 g (58.1 mmol) of 2-phenylpropionaldehyde and 100.6 mg (1.02 mmol) of copper(I) chloride are initially introduced in 20 ml of tert-butanol. 6.45 ml (58.06 mmol) of 35% hydrogen peroxide solution are then carefully and slowly added dropwise at such a rate that the internal temperature does not exceed 30° C. The mixture is therefore cooled by means of ice-cooling during the dropwise addition. Oxygen is formed in the reaction and would spontaneously be released in large quantities if the addition were too fast and the temperature too high. When the addition is complete, the reaction solution is stirred at RT for a further 16 h, and sufficient water/methyl tert-butyl ether is subsequently added, and the organic phase is separated off. The organic phase is washed with 10% ascorbic acid until peroxide-free, and the peroxide content is checked. The mixture is subsequently washed with 10% NaOH solution, water and sat. NaCl solution, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude product obtained is purified over silica gel with heptane/methyl tert-butyl ether (1:1), giving the product as colorless crystals.

Step 4.2: Synthesis of bis[2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenylethoxy)piperidin-4-yl]succinate

1.52 g (5.5 mmol) of the product from the preceding step, the compound 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenylethoxy)piperidin-4-ol, 15.3 mg (0.125 mmol) of dimethylaminopyridine and 1.02 ml (12.6 mmol) of dried pyridine are initially introduced in 10 ml of dichloromethane and cooled to a temperature in the range from 7 to 10° C. 0.255 ml (2.199 mmol) of succinoyl dichloride is then added dropwise as such and if necessary topped up if hydroxyl compound is still present. When the reaction is complete, the reaction mixture is filtered directly through silica gel with dichloromethane and subsequently eluted with heptane/methyl tert-butyl ether (1:1) and pure methyl tert-butyl ether. The product obtained is dissolved in acetonitrile and purified by means of preparative HPLC (2 Chromolith columns with 50 ml/min of acetonitrile), giving the product as a yellow oil having a purity of >99.9%.

Synthesis Example 5 Synthesis of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenyl-ethoxy)piperidin-4-ylpentanoate (Substance Example 31)

2.5 g (9.01 mmol) of the compound 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-(1-phenyl-ethoxy)piperidin-4-ol from step 3.1 and 55.1 mg (0.45 mmol) of (4-dimethylaminopyridine) are dissolved in 50.0 ml of dry dichloromethane and cooled to 3° C. 5.47 ml (27.03 mmol) of valeric anhydride are added at this temperature, and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 14 h. When the reaction is complete, the mixture is carefully poured into ice-water, adjusted to pH 6 using 2N HCl, and the organic phase is separated off. The aqueous phase is extracted with dichloromethane, and the combined organic phases are washed with saturated NaCl solution, a mixture of water and triethylamine (300:50 ml) and dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. Purification on silica gel with heptane/methyl tert-butyl ether (9:1) gives the product as a colorless oil.

Synthesis Example 6 Synthesis of 1,4-bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)butanedioate (Substance Example 49)

40 ml of water and 80 ml of dioxane are mixed and carefully degassed by means of a stream of argon. 2.0 g (4.7 mmol) of the free radical from Substance Example 1 (Synthesis Example 1) are dissolved in the solvent mixture, and 4.95 g (28.1 mmol) of ascorbic acid are added in portions. The reaction mixture becomes colorless during this addition and is stirred at 40° C. for 18 h under a protective-gas atmosphere. The mixture is cooled to room temperature, and 100 ml of water are added, the mixture is stirred briefly, and the crystals formed are filtered off with suction. The crystals are dissolved in 50 ml of hot degassed THF, and the insoluble constituents are filtered off, and the filtrate is crystallised at −25° C. The pale-pink crystals are then washed by stirring in acetonitrile at room temperature for 18 h, giving the product as pale-pink crystals having an HPLC purity of −100%.

Synthesis Example 7 Synthesis of 1,10-bis(1-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)decanedioate (Substance Example 50)

All solvents used are thoroughly degassed in advance by means of a stream of argon. During work-up, brown glass equipment must be used. 1.70 g (3.32 mmol) of the free radical from Substance Example 4 (Synthesis Example 2) are dissolved in 60 ml of dioxane. 3.6 g (20 mmol) of ascorbic acid dissolved in 30 ml of water are subsequently added dropwise to the solution at room temperature. The reaction solution starts to become colorless during this dropwise addition, and the reaction is complete after stirring at room temperature for 1 h. The mixture is extracted with 100 ml of dichloromethane, and the organic phase is washed with water, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and evaporated. The yellow crystals formed are dried at 160° C. and 10⁻² mbar for 5 min, giving a viscous, slowly crystallising oil.

Liquid-crystal mixtures having the compositions and properties as indicated in the following tables are prepared and investigated.

Examples 1.1 to 1.3 and Comparative Example 1

The following mixture (M−1), which comprises in total slightly more than 20% of compounds of the formula III-O containing a CH₂O bridge, is prepared and investigated.

Mixture M-1 Composition Compound Concentration/ No. Abbreviation % by weight 1 COY-3-O1 <4.5 2 COY-3-O2 7.0 3 CCOY-2-1 3.0 4 CCOY-3-O2 9.0 5 CPY-3-O2 5.5 6 CPY-3-O4 6.0 7 CPY-4-O3 5.5 8 CC-2-3 19.5 9 CC-3-4 10.0 10  CC-3-5 5.0 12  PP-1-5 12.5 13  CCP-3-1 8.0 14  CCP-3-3 4.5 Σ 100.0 Physical properties T(N, I) = 76° C. Δn(20° C., 589 nm) = 0.0934 Δε(20°, 1 kHz) = −2.2 γ₁(20° C.) = 100 mPa · s k₁₁(20° C.) = t.b.d. pN k₃₃(20° C.) = t.b.d. pN V₀(20° C.) = t.b.d. V Note: t.b.d.: to be determined Mixture M-1 is divided into five parts and investigated as described below.

Comparative Example 1

Firstly, the stability of the voltage holding ratio of the mixture (M−1) itself is determined. Mixture M-1 itself is investigated in a test cell having an alignment material for homeotropic alignment and flat ITO electrodes for their stability to lighting with a cold cathode ((CCFL)-LCD backlight). To this end, corresponding test cells are exposed to the lighting for 1056 hours. The voltage holding ratio is then determined in each case after 5 minutes at a temperature of 100° C. The results are summarised below in Table 1. Here, as below, six test cells are filled and investigated for each individual mixture. The values indicated are the average of the six individual values and the standard deviation (a) thereof, including for the case where the standard deviation is smaller than the measurement value accuracy indicated above.

Examples 1.1 to 1.3

Next, alternatively 250 ppm of the compound of Synthesis Example 1 (i.e. of Substance Example 1)

or 250 ppm of the compound of Synthesis Example 2

(i.e. of Substance Example 4)

or 250 ppm of the compound of Synthesis Example 7 (i.e. of Substance Example 50)

are added to mixture M-1, and the resultant mixtures (M-1-1 to M-1-3) are investigated for their stability as described above. The results are shown in the following table, Table 1.

The relative deviations of the “voltage holding ratio” values in various measurement series are typically in the range up to about 2% and may in exceptional cases be up to a maximum of about 3 to 4%.

The drop in the voltage holding ratio (GVHR) usually caused by the exposure is determined as described in the text above.

TABLE 1 c(stab.)/ VHR(t)/% Ex. No. Mixture Stabilizer ppm t = 0 h t = 1.056 h V1 1 CM-1-0 none 0 94.6 ± 0.2 78 ± 1.3 B1.1 3 M-1-1 I(1)* 250 96.4 ± 0.4 94 ± 0.9 B1.2 4 M-1-2 I(2)* 250 97.0 ± 0.3 92 ± 0.9 B1.3 4 M-1-3 I(3)* 250 t.b.d. t.b.d. Notes: I(1)*: compound of Synthesis Example 1 I(2)*: compound of Synthesis Example 2 I(3)*: compound of Synthesis Example 7 t.b.d.: to be determined

It can readily be seen here that the compound of Synthesis Example 1 exhibits clearly stabilising properties. The starting mixture without the use of the stabilizers exhibits a considerable drop in the VHR after exposure by the backlight and is thus not suitable for use in most modern LCD applications. The values of the VHR after exposure of the mixtures according to the invention which comprise the compounds of the formula I are superior both to those of the starting mixture and also to those of the comparative mixture.

The VHR values before exposure by the backlight are significantly improved by all stabilizers used. The unstabilised reference exhibits a significant drop in the VHR after exposure by the backlight. This can be prevented virtually completely by the stabilizers used. The best results were achieved with I(1). The use of the compounds indicated, in particular the compounds of the formula I, thus also enables the mixtures investigated to be used in modern, demanding LCD applications.

The compound of Synthesis Example 1 in a concentration of 250 ppm has a stabilization activity which is superior to all other stabilizers investigated here. This results in a reduction in the occurrence of image sticking on exposure by the backlight.

Example 2 Examples 2.1 to 2.3 and Comparative Example 2

The following mixture (M-2), which comprises in total 13.5% of two compounds of the formula III-O-2 containing a CH₂O bridge, is prepared and investigated.

Mixture M-2 Composition Compound Concentration/ No. Abbreviation % by weight 1 CCOY-2-O2 6.5 2 CCOY-3-O2 7.0 3 CY-3-O2 17.0 4 CPY-2-O2 12.0 5 CPY-3-O2 11.0 6 CC-2-3 16.0 7 CC-3-4 10.0 8 CC-3-5 5.5 9 PP-1-3 4.5 10  PP-1-4 4.0 11  CCP-3-1 6.5 Σ 100.0 Physical properties T(N, I) = 75° C. n_(e)(20° C., 589 nm) = 1.5831 Δn(20° C., 589 nm) = 0.0997 ε_(⊥)(20°, 1 kHz) = 6.7 Δε(20°, 1 kHz) = −3.3 γ₁(20° C.) = 112 mPa · s k₁₁(20° C.) = 14.2 pN k₃₃(20° C.) = 14.5 pN V₀(20° C.) = 2.23 V

Mixture M-2 is, as described in Example 1, divided into four parts and treated and investigated as described therein. The results are indicated in the following table.

TABLE 2 c(stab.)/ VHR(t)/% Ex. No. Mixture Stabilizer ppm t = 0 h t = 500 h V2 1 M-2 none 0 95.7 ± 0.8 76.7 ± 1.5 B2.1 3 M-2-1 I(1)* 100 94.3 ± 0.9 88.6 ± 1.3 B2.2 3 M-2-2 I(2)* 100 95.2 ± 0.3 91.5 ± 0.8 B2.3 3 M-2-3 I(3)* 250 94.4 ± 0.7 91.7 ± 0.9 Notes: I(1)*: compound of Synthesis Example 1 I(2)*: compound of Synthesis Example 2 I(3)*: compound of Synthesis Example 7

All compounds of the formula I used here significantly improve the stability of the mixtures used. This applies, in particular, to the values after the exposure test. (The values before the exposure test are all virtually indistinguishable here within the bounds of measurement accuracy.) Stabilizer I(2) exhibits a particularly high activity here, even in a concentration of only 100 ppm, and results in a high VHR after exposure by the backlight. Without the use of stabilizers, it was only possible to use mixture M-2 to a limited extent in an LCD. The use of the compounds of the formula I described causes an increase in the VHR to a value which enables use in most corresponding LCDs.

The compounds of Synthesis Example 2, even in a concentration of 100 ppm, and those of Synthesis Example 7 in a concentration of 250 ppm have a superior stabilization activity to all other stabilizers investigated here. The compound of Synthesis Example 1 gives very good results even in a concentration of only 100 ppm. The best absolute effect here is observed for compounds I(2) and I(3), or, taking into account the respective concentrations employed, for compound I(2).

Example 3 Examples 3.1 to 3.3 and Comparative Example 3

The following mixture (M-3), which comprises 11% of a compound of the formula III-O-1 containing a CH₂O bridge, is prepared and investigated.

Mixture M-3 Composition Compound Concentration/ No. Abbreviation % by weight 1 COY-3-O2 11.0 2 CCY-3-O1 8.0 3 CCY-3-O2 11.0 4 CPY-2-O2 12.0 5 CPY-3-O2 11.0 6 CC-2-3 20.0 7 CC-3-4 10.0 8 CC-3-5 6.0 9 PP-1-3 6.0 10  PP-1-4 5.0 Σ 100.0 Physical properties T(N, I) = 77° C. n_(e)(20° C., 589 nm) = 1.5844 Δn(20° C., 589 nm) = 0.1007 ε_(⊥)(20°, 1 kHz) = 6.5 Δε(20°, 1 kHz) = −3.1 γ₁(20° C.) = 109 mPa · s k₁₁(20° C.) = 15.3 pN k₃₃(20° C.) = 14.5 pN V₀(20° C.) = 2.28 V

Mixture M-3 is, as described in Example 1, divided into four parts and treated and investigated as described therein. The results are summarised in the following table.

TABLE 3 c(stab.)/ VHR(t)/% Ex. No. Mixture Stabilizer ppm t = 0 h t = 500 h V3 1 M-3 none 0 96.2 ± 0.7 76.1 ± 2.1 B3.1 3 M-3-1 I(1)* 100 95.9 ± 0.2 90.5 ± 0.5 B3.2 4 M-3-2 I(2)* 100 95.4 ± 0.6 90.8 ± 0.9 B3.3 5 M-3-3 I(3)* 250 95.3 ± 0.6 91.7 ± 1.3 Notes: I(1)*: compound of Synthesis Example 1 I(2)*: compound of Synthesis Example 2 I(3)*: compound of Synthesis Example 7

Mixture M-3 as such has a somewhat higher VHR, both before and after exposure, than mixture M-2 of Example 2.

As in Example 2, all compounds of the formula I used here also have an improved VHR after exposure. Stabilizer I(3) exhibits a particularly high activity here after exposure by the backlight. Without the use of stabilizers, it was only possible to use mixture M-3 to a limited extent in an LCD. The use of the stabilizers described, in particular the compounds of the formula I, causes an increase in the VHR to a value which enables use in most corresponding LCDs.

Here too, as already in Example 2, the compounds of Synthesis Examples 1 and 2, even in a concentration of 100 ppm, and the compound of Synthesis Example 7 in a concentration of 250 ppm have a significantly superior stabilization activity to all other stabilizers investigated here. The best effect here is observed for compound I(3) of Synthesis Example 7 employed in a concentration of 250 ppm.

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success by substituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/or operating conditions of this invention for those used in the preceding examples.

From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. 

1. A liquid-crystalline medium comprising a) one or more compounds of formula I

in which n denotes 1, 2, 3 or 4, m denotes (4-n),

denotes an organic radical having 4 bonding sites, Z¹¹ and Z¹², independently of one another, denote —O—, —(C═O)—, —(N—R¹⁴)— or a single bond, but do not both simultaneously denote —O—, r and s, independently of one another, denote 0 or 1, Y¹¹ to Y¹⁴ each, independently of one another, denote alkyl having 1 to 4 C atoms and alternatively, also independently of one another, one or both of the pairs (Y¹¹ and Y¹²) and (Y¹³ and Y¹⁴) together denote a divalent group having 3 to 6 C atoms, R¹¹ denotes O—R¹³, O. or OH, preferably O—R¹³ or O., R¹² on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes H, F, OR¹⁴, NR¹⁴R¹⁵, a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1-20 C atoms, in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, or denotes a hydrocarbon radical which contains a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl unit, and in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, and in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶, or denotes an aromatic or heteroaromatic hydrocarbon radical, in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶, R¹³ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1-20 C atoms, in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, or denotes a hydrocarbon radical which contains a cycloalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl unit, and in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, and in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶, or denotes an aromatic or heteroaromatic hydrocarbon radical, in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶, or can be

(1,4-cyclohexylene), in which one or more —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O—, —CO— or —NR¹⁴—, or an acetophenyl, isopropyl or 3-heptyl radical, R¹⁴ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon or carboxyl radical having 6-12 C atoms, R¹⁵ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl or acyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms or an aromatic hydrocarbon or carboxyl radical having 6-12 C atoms, R¹⁶ on each occurrence, independently of one another, denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 10 C atoms, in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, with the provisos that, in the case where n=1, R¹¹=O. and —[Z¹¹—]_(r)—[Z¹²]_(s)—=—O—, —(CO)—O—, —O—(CO)—, —O—(CO)—O—, —NR¹⁴— or —NR¹⁴—(CO)—,

does not denote a straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 10 C atoms, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl, and in the case where n=2 and R¹¹=O—R¹³, R¹³ does not denote n-C₁₋₉-alkyl, and Compounds of the formula

are excluded from formula 1, b) one or more compounds of the formula III-O

in which R³¹ denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C atoms, R³² denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C atoms or an unsubstituted alkoxy radical having 1 to 6 C atoms, and i denotes 0 or
 1. 2. The medium according to claim 1, comprising one or more compounds of the formula I that have formulae I-1 to I-9

in which t denotes an integer from 1 to 12, R¹⁷ denotes a straight-chain or branched alkyl chain having 1-12 C atoms, in which one —CH₂— group or a plurality of —CH₂— groups may be replaced by —O— or —C(═O)—, but two adjacent —CH₂— groups cannot be replaced by —O—, or denotes an aromatic or heteroaromatic hydrocarbon radical, in which one H atom or a plurality of H atoms may be replaced by OR¹⁴, N(R¹⁴)(R¹⁵) or R¹⁶.
 3. The medium according to claim 1, comprising one or more compounds of the formula I that have the formulae I-1a-1 to I-8a-1


4. The medium according to claim 1, additionally comprising c) one or more compounds of formula II

in which R²¹ denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C atoms or an unsubstituted alkenyl radical having 2 to 7 C atoms, and R²² denotes an unsubstituted alkenyl radical having 2 to 7 C atoms, and/or d) one or more compounds of formulae III-1 to III-4

in which R³¹ denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C atoms, R³² denotes an unsubstituted alkyl radical having 1 to 7 C atoms or an unsubstituted alkoxy radical having 1 to 6 C atoms, and m, n and o each, independently of one another, denote 0 or
 1. 5. The medium according to claim 1, having a total concentration of the compounds of the formula I in the medium as a whole of 1 ppm to 1000 ppm.
 6. The medium according to claim 4, comprising a compound of the formula II, in which R²¹ denotes n-propyl and R²² denotes vinyl.
 7. The medium according to claim 1, having a total concentration of the compounds of the formula III-O in the medium as a whole of 5% to 40%.
 8. The medium according to claim 1, comprising one or more compounds of formula III-O-1

in which R³¹ and R³² have the respective meanings given for formula III-O.
 9. The medium according to claim 1, comprising one or more compounds of formula III-O-2

in which R³¹ and R³² have the respective meanings given for formula III-O.
 10. The medium according to claim 1, additionally comprising one or more chiral compounds.
 11. An electro-optical display or electro-optical component containing a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim
 1. 12. The display according to claim 11, operating by VA or ECB effect.
 13. The display according to claim 11, containing an active-matrix addressing device.
 14. A process for the preparation of a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, comprising mixing one or more compounds of formula I with one or more compounds of formula III-O and/or one or more compounds of formula II and/or one or more compounds of formulae III-1 to III-4.
 15. A method for the stabilization of a liquid-crystalline medium according to claim 1, comprising adding to the medium one or more compounds of formula III-O, and one or more compounds of formula I and optionally one or more compounds of formulae OH-1 to OH-6 